The Senate on Tuesday quickly approved to a bill that will require the publication of official records associated with the late pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, following a almost unanimous vote in the House of Representatives and a reversal by Donald Trump and his GOP allies. The White House relented after months of trying to delay the joint action involving a controversy that has plagued the president since his return to the White House.
Unanimous Passage in Both Chambers
Senators proceeded by general agreement, which requires approval from each senator but does not require a formal roll call vote, accelerating the process. Hours earlier, the House overwhelmingly approved the bill on a massive majority.
The public have been patient long enough. Jeffrey Epstein’s victims have waited long enough,” the top Senate Democrat declared in a address to the chamber on Tuesday, before asking the chamber to pass it unanimously. “Reveal the truth. Let transparency reign.”
Next Steps
This legislation next goes to Trump for his endorsement. He indicated on the previous day that he would approve the bill.
Though the president has for an extended period dismissed the uproar over the official management of the investigation as a “political stunt”, he signalled his support for the House bill over the weekend, and said he would sign the measure if it is presented to him.
Reaction
Opposition lawmakers, along with victims and their advocates who were present in a public section, applauded after the bill was approved. The sole “no” vote came from a GOP representative, who said he worried the measure would disclose identifying details of people, those under scrutiny and others caught up in the investigation.
Other Stories
- The president is under fire for referring to a female Bloomberg reporter as ‘piggy’ during a disagreement aboard Air Force One.
- Judge rejects ‘discriminatory’ maps in the state of Texas that awarded GOP extra districts.
- Many of Department of Education's authorities transferred to other federal departments as part of administration efforts.
- Large-scale operations move to the state's capital, with local officials noting ongoing activities.
